Journal of Knowledge & Health in Basic Medical Sciences
Year:2012 | Volume:7 | Issue:2|Papers Count:9

Introduction: Using stem cells for in vitro tissue regeneration is one of the most interesting fields of research. Liver regeneration is not an exceptional area. The main objective of this study was the production of hepatocyte- like cells from the umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).Methods: Cells were isolated from UCB, upon a written informed consent obtained from donor mothers. The stem cells immunophenotype was analyzed using flow cytometry and multi-lineage differentiation potential was evaluated by means of in vitro differentiation assays. Finally, the expression of hepatocyte-specific markers was verified using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results: The isolated UCB-MSCs had mesodermal differentiation capacity. If UCB-MSCs are cultured in appropriate conditions, they are able to induce hepatic-associated genes, such as albumin (Alb), a-fetoprotein (AFP), cytokeratins 18, 19 (CK18, CK19) and a-1 antitrypsin (AA). Moreover, UCB- MSCs produced albumin andα-fetoprotein upon in vitro induction of hepatocyte differentiation.Conclusion: Mesenchymal stem cells from human umbilical cord blood are capable of tissue-specific commitment along hepatogenic lineage, proposing these cells as suitable tool for cell-based applications aimed at liver regeneration.

Introduction: Renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) induces organ damage in remote organs such as liver, brain and lung. The aim of this study was to assess the role of leukocytes in the induction of liver damage after renal IR injury.Methods: Inbred mice were subjected to either sham operation or bilateral renal IR injury (60 min ischemia followed by 3h reperfusion).Mice were then anesthetized for collection of leukocytes by heart puncture. Isolated leukocytes were transferred to two other groups: intact recipient mice that received leukocytes from IR mice and intact recipient mice that received leukocytes from sham-operated control mice. After 24h, recipient mice were anesthetized and blood and hepatic samples were collected.Results: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) increased significantly in intact recipient mice that received leukocytes from IR mice in comparison to intact recipient mice receiving leukocytes from sham-operated control mice. In addition, loss of normal liver architecture, cytoplasmic vacuolization and focal infiltration of leukocytes were observed.Conclusion: These results suggest that leukocytes are one of the possible factors that contribute to liver damage after renal IR injury and this damage is partly due to the induction of oxidative stress.

Introduction: Primary dysmenorrheal is described as pelvic pain during menstrual bleeding in the absence of an identifiable pathologic lesion. It is a common gynecologic problem among women in reproductive age groups. Our objective was to compare the effect of vitamin E and Fennel extract on primary dysmenorrheal.Methods: In this randomized single blind, placebo-controlled trial, 65 single female students who suffered from primary dysmenorrheal were randomly assigned into 3 groups of Fennel extract, vitamin E and placebo. Groups used treatment four times a day from the onset of bleeding and continued through three days for two consecutive menstrual periods. The vitamin E group took 100 unit capsules and Fennel extract group took 46 mg capsules with commercial name of Fenalgin.Results: In the Fennel extract group, one month and two months after treatment, mean of pain duration significantly reduced compared to before treatment (P<0.001) but in the vitamin E group, the pain duration mean decreased only two months after treatment (P<0.02).The comparison of the first cycle means of pain duration, shows a significant difference between the three groups (P=0.033).Conclusion: The results show that fennel extract is more effective than vitamin E in reducing the duration of pain in primary dysmenorrheal.

Introduction: Upper gastrointestinal cancers are one of the major causes of cancer related death in the world. Family history is a serious risk factor for upper gastrointestinal cancers, but there is little information about this, in Iran. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the impact of familial history of cancer on upper gastrointestinal cancers development.Methods: In this case-control study, 1010 cases of upper gastrointestinal cancer and 1010 healthy controls were recruited. The family history was extracted from a standard history form completed by a health care provider. Adjusted odds ratio estimates for the association between family history and upper gastrointestinal cancers risk and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were obtained.Results: A positive family history was reported by 22% and 23.5% among cases and controls, respectively (P>0.05). An immediate family history of esophageal and gastric cancer was significantly associated with upper gastrointestinal cancers development, with an adjusted OR of 4.7.Conclusion: According to our findings family history of cancer increases the risk of upper gastrointestinal cancers. Due to this fact, it is recommended that relatives of patients with upper gastrointestinal cancers be considered as a priority group for screening programs.

Introduction: Low back pain is one of the widespread problems among nurses which can cause disability, absenteeism, work restriction, and negative economic impacts. This study aimed at determining the role of health beliefs, somatization tendency and mental health on back pain among nurses.Methods: The present research was a cross sectional study among 246 nursing personnel (all nurses and nurse aids) working in Shahrood hospitals in 2008. CPUID questionnaire was used to collect data. Chi-square test, multiple logistic regressions and Mann Whitney test for analysis were performed.Results: The mean age of participants was 33.7±0.2 yrs, and the mean work hours per day were 47.5±8 hours. 69% of them had more than 5 years work experience. 59% (n=145) of the study population reported back pain in previous 12 months. Significant relationships were found between work experience, working with hands above shoulder height, Familiarity with people suffering from back pain outside of work environment, somatisation tendency, health beliefs (P<0.05).Conclusion: Results indicated that in addition to physical work related risk factors, health beliefs and somatisation tendency can be risk factors for back pain which confirms results of similar studies in other countries.

Introduction: One of the most widespread musculoskeletal disorders among office workers is neck-pain. Our purpose was determination of neck pain prevalence and some of its determinants among office-workers in Qom Province.Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 1500 office workers in Qum Province. Samples were taken using multi-stage cluster sampling. Persian version of NORDIC questionnaire was used for the data collection.Results: prevalence of neck pain was 20.1%, 95%CI (18.1-22.2). In our study variables that significantly were related to neck-pain were: gender (P=0.011), time spent in inconvenient status (P=0.001), employment type (P<0.001), using computer at work (P=0.010), car accident history (P=0.004), frequency of breaks during the work day (P=0.005), office workers’ attitudes towards work status (P=0.016) and physical activity (P=0.009).Conclusion: Many of neck pain risk factors are preventable and controllable. So, planning for improvement of work conditions can play an important role in preventing from and decreasing this disorder among office workers.

Introduction: In the postpartum period, mothers are exposed to some potential complications and their health many decrease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of relaxation on postpartum blues and quality of life.Methods: In this clinical trial study, 84 pregnant women who referred to health centers of Shiraz (2010) were selected through a simple sampling method and were randomly assigned to case and control groups. The relaxation was taught to the case group whereas nothing was taught to control groups. Severity of postpartum blues was evaluated by Zung self rating depression scale on the 1st and 10th days after birth in case and control groups and quality of life was evaluated as well.Results: There was not statistically significant difference between two groups with regard to demographic and obstetric variables (P>0.05). Mean of postpartum blues on the 1st day and 10th day after delivery showed a significant difference between case and control group (P<0.05). The mean score of quality of life subscales (Feelings of mothers to herself and mother towards her child) were significantly higher in case group and there was a significant difference between the two groups in this regard (P<0.05).Conclusion: The results of this study showed that relaxation training to pregnant mothers was effective in decreasing postpartum blues severity and it was beneficial to mothers’ health and quality of life. Therefore, it is a simple, useful and cost free method to improve postpartum blues and its application is recommended for improving maternal psychological health.

Introduction: Phthalates are founded in medical devices such as filters and dialysis catheters. Scientific evidences show health disadvantages due to exposure to phthalates. In this study, level of Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in Iranian hemodialysis-related materials was measured.Methods: Ten samples of Iranian dialysis catheters (five samples from SUPA medical devices company (SUPA-MDC) and five samples from Helal Ahmar- MDC) were randomly selected. The level of DEHP for each sample was measured by Gas chromatography- Mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Mean concentrations of DEHP (mg per ml) for each brand was reported separately.Results: Means of DEHP concentration for SUPA- MDC and Helal Ahmar- MDC were 1.36±0.11 and 0.97±0.11 mg/ml, respectively.Range of measured concentrations differed from 1.47 to 1.21 mg/ml and 1.13 to 0.83 mg/ml, for SUPA- and Helal Ahmar-MDCs respectively.Conclusion: Application of alternative medical products without or with less phthalate could reduce exposure of patients to phthalates.